BANGKOK, May 17 (Reuters) — Authorities in Thailand have filed criminal charges against a train operator following a fatal collision that occurred Saturday in central Bangkok, where a freight train struck a public bus at a railway crossing, resulting in eight fatalities and 32 injuries.
“The train driver has been charged with negligence causing death, as evidence clearly indicates reckless conduct leading to fatalities,” Urumporn Koondejsumrit, head of the Makkasan Police Station, told Reuters.
According to police officials, the bus operator will face similar charges but remains hospitalized and unable to be questioned, delaying the filing of those charges.
Law enforcement officials indicated they are reviewing whether to pursue additional criminal charges in the case.
The Saturday incident occurred when the freight train collided with a bus that had stopped on the railway tracks during a red traffic signal, igniting a blaze that consumed the bus and pulled several other vehicles down the tracks.
Transportation officials have cleared the accident scene and resumed normal operations, while Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat announced in a statement that authorities plan to strengthen safety protocols and monitoring to avoid future incidents.
Local residents expressed concerns they had harbored for some time about the dangerous intersection, noting that motorists frequently ignored stop signals at the crossing.
“It should not have happened. I want all drivers to understand traffic laws properly,” said Thanphisit Nawatkonoangkoon, a 20-year-old train commuter.
The World Health Organization has identified Thailand’s transportation system as among the most dangerous globally, citing insufficient enforcement of safety regulations.
